[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24873-24874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11471]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Establishment of a National Wildlife Refuge in Georgetown, 
Horry, and Marion Counties, South Carolina, and Notice of Meetings to 
Seek Public Participation

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent and meetings.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Southeast Region, intends to prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) for the proposed establishment of a national wildlife 
refuge in Georgetown, Horry, and Marion Counties, South Carolina, and 
plans to hold two scoping meetings in the vicinity of the proposed 
refuge to involve the public in the preparation of the EIS.

DATES: The Service will hold two scoping meetings as follows: (1) At 
7:00 p.m. on June 20, 1995, at the Georgetown High School Auditorium, 
Georgetown, South Carolina; and (2) at [[Page 24874]] 7:00 p.m. on June 
21, 1995, at the Horry County Council Chambers, Conway, South Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Charles R. Danner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century 
Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The study area for the proposed refuge 
includes approximately 42,000 acres of wetlands and upland forests 
between the Intracoastal Waterway and U.S. Highway 701 north of Winyah 
Bay in Coastal South Carolina. The boundaries of the proposed refuge 
have not been determined. The specific location will be based on 
availability of land, ecosystem needs, and public comments on the 
suitability of the proposal.
    The purpose of the proposed refuge is to protect an important 
component of the Winyah Bay ecosystem for the benefit of endangered and 
threatened species, migratory birds, anadromous fish, and forest 
wildlife. The study area contains extensive freshwater tidal wetlands; 
large contiguous blocks of bottom land hardwood forests; and upland 
plant communities consisting of longleaf and loblolly pine and mixed 
hardwoods such as turkey, water,and laurel oak. It provides some of the 
most valuable production and wintering habitat for wood ducks in the 
state and is recognized as a key emphasis area in the North American 
Waterfowl Management Plan. The associated upland forests provide 
habitat for the red-cocked woodpecker, bald eagle, and wood stork, all 
federally listed endangered species. Another endangered species, the 
shortnose sturgeon, inhabits the area's rivers and waterways.

    Dated: May 1, 1995.
Noreen K. Clough,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-11471 Filed 5-9-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M